Ukraine has launched a "special mechanism of controlled export" for weapons, with a portion of export revenues funding the domestic defense industry. Minimum contract values and conditions apply, and exports may be denied if items are needed for Ukraine's defense or are critical products.
Hungary's new government, led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, is reviewing the financing of the Paks-2 nuclear power plant project, a Rosatom initiative, as part of efforts to address the state budget's "terrible state" and a projected 7% GDP deficit.
New South Wales' upcoming budget will lower public transport fare caps on Opal and credit card payments to ease cost-of-living pressures. The Minns government aims for fiscal restraint while addressing inflation and housing affordability, balancing relief with economic discipline.
Czechia's coalition government has approved a bill to scrap the current license fee for Czech Television and Czech Radio, moving their funding to the state budget from next year. Critics warn this could lead to budget cuts, layoffs, and political interference, calling it 'cultural vandalism' and a threat to democracy.
Russia's Defense Ministry claims US-funded biolabs in Ukraine studied pathogens of plague, anthrax, tularemia, Marburg fever, and Ebola. Lieutenant General Alexey Rtishchev stated that American intelligence materials confirmed US budget funding and top-secret research coordinated by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Illinois has enacted a $55.9 billion budget featuring a first-of-its-kind 0.2% tax on crypto assets, set to take effect in January 2027. The Digital Asset Tax Act will levy a privilege tax on digital asset brokers for customer transactions, drawing sharp criticism from industry leaders concerned about discriminatory practices and potential capital flight.
France's next state budget, to be discussed in autumn, will feature a "transparency operation" to distinguish public service operating costs from pension expenses, according to Public Accounts Minister David Amiel.
Pertamina raised RON98 petrol (Pertamax Turbo) to 19,400 rupiah per litre from 13,100 rupiah, and diesel products by around 60%, while also increasing 12kg LPG canisters to 228,000 rupiah in Jakarta, East Java and Central Java. The price hikes target market-priced fuels while protecting subsidised products for lower-income Indonesians, though analysts warn the gap could encourage wealthier consumers to switch to subsidised options.
Pertamina raised RON-98 petrol (Pertamax Turbo) to 19,400 rupiah per litre from 13,100 rupiah, and diesel products by around 60%, while also increasing 12kg LPG canisters to 228,000 rupiah in Jakarta, East Java and Central Java. The price hikes reflect Indonesia's balancing act between allowing market-priced fuels to track global crude costs while shielding subsidised products for lower-income households from increases that could carry economic and political consequences.
